W032 / Oregon

Oregon sunstone

Copper-bearing labradorite feldspar

Oregon sunstone can be clear or colored, with reflective copper inclusions. A bright flash is a clue to examine, not an Oregon origin certificate.

← Western Lapidary Materials
Reference photograph pending

What it is

Copper-bearing labradorite feldspar

What to look for

Compare feldspar cleavage, transparent areas and directional glitter. Not every Oregon sunstone shows obvious shimmer.

At the cutting bench

Cleavage and existing fractures affect cutting orientation and yield. Keep a rough piece’s mine label with the cut stones.

Under the loupe

Compare other sunstones, copper-diffused feldspar and glittery manufactured glass. Color and sparkle alone do not establish natural color or source.

Source & collecting access

BLM lists a designated public collection area, with private claims inside and nearby. Its public collecting provision excludes trade/commercial purposes. Check current conditions and exact boundaries; this is not a collecting map.

Status checked 2026-10-03

The market notebook

No verified realized-price range was established for this entry. Asking prices and sold labels are not interchangeable.

Market researched 2026-10-03

Open the field notes

Formation & evidence

Natural copper-bearing feldspar occurs in basalt. Different deposits and crystal orientations produce different appearances; do not apply one mine’s history to every piece.

Collecting & trade context

Oregon’s state gemstone is a distinct feldspar story within a collection otherwise dominated by silica materials. Preserve mine and purchase labels.

Reading an old label

Preserve the exact name, dates, wrapping and associated pieces. Old-stock age alone does not authenticate a locality or imply exceptional value.

Color comparison limits

Yellow, Red, Green, Brown/Tan, White/Cream/Clear

What we know—and what we don’t

Visual resemblance can narrow a comparison. Material identity, locality attribution and documented provenance need separate evidence.

C&C Reference Collection

Authenticated reference photography is still being assembled.

Sources & Further Reading
  1. GIA: Three Occurrences of Oregon Sunstone

    2013 field/gemological research; not current mine-output evidence.

  2. GIA: Optical Effects of Oregon Sunstone

    2023 research on copper inclusions and optical effects.

  3. BLM: Sunstone Collection Area

    Checked 3 October 2026. Private claims require permission; public collecting is not for commercial trade.

Historic locality information is not current collecting permission. For cutting, use suitable dust controls and material-specific safety guidance.